Hat accessory

ABSTRACT

A hat accessory which may be used as a flight training aid for creating intentional vision restriction. The hat accessory is adapted to be readily attached to common baseball-style caps. The hat accessory includes a lower bill panel with an upper bill panel bonded to the lower bill panel along an arcuate bonding band. This configuration forms an envelope or pocket for receiving the cap bill. A pair of lateral wings can be provided which are bent in a downward direction to restrict peripheral vision. The hat accessory may be used for other applications including the display of commercial, political, or other messages.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional U.S. application Ser. No. 61/560,854 filed on Nov. 17, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device which may be affixed to a baseball-style cap brim which can provide multiple functions. In one embodiment, the accessory forms a vision restriction device useable for aircraft instrument flight training. Other embodiments of the product provide a variety of functions including: sports fan display, advertising, golf training aid to restrict the peripheral vision of a golfer, and as a novelty product. These applications are enabled due to the unique design and construction, and simplistic method of attaching the accessory to the bill of an ordinary ball cap.

BACKGROUND

In the training of aviation pilots, as well as for their currency and proficiency certification, (IPC, Instrument Proficiency Check) it is necessary to simulate instrument flight conditions, “IFR”. This is not practical in all flying situations as it is desirable in many instances to have clear visibility or “visual flight rules, VFR” conditions for the safety of the student/pilot and instructor. However, in an effort to learn to fly aircraft without external visual cues, pilots use a device for obscuring their vision outside the aircraft (peripheral/forward cues) i.e. the runway forward and the horizon peripherally. One available device is a large cumbersome hood device which is placed over the pilot's head and can be hinged in the up and down positions. In the down position, the hood restricts side and forward visibility, confining the student/pilot to the use of flight instruments for flying the aircraft. Another device of this type is so-called “Foggles”, a pair of plastic glasses with a fogged upper visual area for obscuring vision. These devices do not permit the easy use of bi-focals glasses required for some pilots to meet flight medial requirements, let alone larger types of eye wear such as sun glasses.

The above-mentioned prior art flight training devices work well. However, there is a desire to provide a lighter weight device, and one that can be made inexpensively and can be easily shipped to and transported by a student pilot. The hat accessory in accordance with this invention provides these benefits. The features of the hat accessory are also suited for a variety of applications beyond the flight training device mentioned above. The above-mentioned prior art devices work, but not well when adding anything else over the eyes or in a state of the art flight deck with limited space. Instrument Flight Instructors, the inventors of this hat accessory, developed this device out of necessity while working with their students. The necessity was to provide: a more comfortable device, which is less fatiguing; which does not detracts from training; one that does not induce headaches worn above the ears; one that permits the use of even large sized of eye glasses, bifocals and sun glasses; a device which can be made inexpensively; can be used in the state of the art restricted flight decks; can be easily shipped, folded flat and transported by a student/pilot in a flight bag so that it is always available to the pilot for training and maintaining proficiency. The hat accessory termed the “Hoody” in accordance with this invention provides these benefits and more.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The hat accessory in accordance with an embodiment of this invention is in the form of a first generally flat sheet of rigid material forming a lower bill panel, preferably plastic. A pad of neoprene-type rubber forms an upper bill panel and is affixed to the upper surface of the lower bill panel. The attachment between the upper and lower bill panels form a pocket which receives the bill of a baseball-style cap, enabling the accessory to be readily attached to and detached from ordinary caps. Other embodiments reversed the orientation of the upper and lower bill panels.

The hat accessory concepts in accordance with this invention may also be used for a variety of purposes beyond the flight training application mentioned previously. For example, it may be desirable to attach various functional and non-functional articles to the bill of a typical baseball-style cap. For example, one wishing to merely extend the brim to provide better sun protection could make use of such a device. Moreover, sports fans, or those wishing to promote or advertise products, or convey other messages could use the hat accessory to display a desired message, object, or sign in a desired manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a hat accessory;

FIG. 1A is a pictorial view of the hat accessory as shown in FIG. 1 attached to a baseball style cap:

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention similar to that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the hat accessory in accordance with the invention shown in a folded flat condition;

FIG. 4 is a top pictorial view of the hat accessory in accordance with this invention shown installed onto a baseball-style cap;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the lower bill panel of the hat accessory;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the upper bill panel of the hat accessory according to this invention.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of a first alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of a second alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a third alternate embodiment of the present invention imitating a football player's helmet;

FIG. 12 is a fourth alternate embodiment of the present invention showing a hat accessory with an upwardly projecting fin;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a flip-up panel;

FIG. 14 is a fifth alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a sixth alternate embodiment of the present invention showing a flocking or surface coating on a bill panel;

FIGS. 16 and 17 show seventh alternate embodiments of the hat accessory with flocking or surface treatment and showing downwardly projecting panels;

FIG. 18 is an eighth alternate embodiment of the present invention showing downwardly projecting panels which obscure or provide tinting for the viewer's eyes;

FIG. 19 is a ninth alternate embodiment providing a visor;

FIG. 20 is a pictorial view of a tenth alternate embodiment of the hat accessory with flip-up side wings;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of another flipping panel for alternate embodiments of the hat accessory; and

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of another flipping panel for alternate embodiments of the hat accessory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the FIGS. 1 through 6 and generally designated by reference number 10. Hat accessory 10 principally comprises bill panel 12 (in this case a lower bill panel) and bill panel 14 (in this case an upper bill panel). As best shown in FIG. 5, the bill panel 12 has a generally rectangular plan view outline with a central cut-out section 16 and a pair of protruding bill extension sections 18 which form wings 30 and 32. One preferred material for forming the bill panel 12 is polyethylene material in a thickness of about 0.030 inch. In this embodiment, the bill section 12 features two score lines 20 and 22 which permit easy folding of the wings 30 and 32 of the bill panel 12, as will be described in more detail as follows. In this embodiment of hat accessory 10, bill panel 14 is attached to an upper surface of bill panel 12. As will be evident from a further description of the invention, this orientation may be reversed in which the flexible bill panel 14 may be affixed underneath bill panel 12.

Bill panel 14 may be formed of various materials including neoprene of a thickness of about 0.030 inch. Bill panel 14 features inner and outer arcuate edges 35 and 37 respectively. Bill panel 14 has an accurate/precise shape as shown in FIG. 6 to permit flexibility in attaching to many differently shaped bills on a cap. Bill panel 14 is attached to bill panel 12 through bonding or stitching along band 24 (or both) as best illustrated in FIG. 4. In this way, after attachment of bill panel 14 to bill panel 12, an envelope cavity or pocket 34 is formed which receives the bill 26 of a common “baseball” style cap, even in the most extreme curvature of the bill 28, or any other hat having a common ball cap type brim extending forwardly over the eyes of a wearer. FIG. 1A shows the hat accessory 10 attached to a cap 28 and worn by a user. The relative flexibility and resiliency of bill panel 14 cooperates to retain the hat accessory 10 in a mounted position. For many applications of hat accessory 10 it is optimal that bill panel 14 be mounted on the upper surface of bill panel 12. This orientation has been found to provide excellent retention of the device onto baseball bill 26.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bill extension sections 18 of bill panel 12 form wings 30 and 32 which are folded about score lines 20 and 22 in a downward position as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Wings 30 and 32 provide the desired obscuration of peripheral vision off to the side of the user. The relative flexibility and resiliency of bill section 14 causes the device to be able to be formed to the curvature of the cap bill 26 and also provide enough friction and retention force to maintain hat accessory 10 in position on the cap 28 while it is being worn.

It should be noted that the positions of lower bill panel 12 and upper bill panel 14 can be reversed. In such an embodiment, upper bill panel 14 becomes a lower panel and is instead attached to the underside surface of bill panel 12, which becomes an upper panel.

While “Hoody” hat accessory 10 is shown in use for obscuring vision for pilots, or what is termed in the industry as a “Hood” or “Flight Hood”, many other embodiments using related design principles are also possible. Examples are: wings 30 and 32 can provide signage for sports teams, special designs signifying a fans team of preference; commercial products; sponsorships; political messages; a golf swing training device; and when made to be translucent, shade the eyes of a driver from the insistent glare of the sun, covering that area that the visor just cannot cover. Moreover, the bill panel 14 of hat accessory 10 could be extended to provide such messaging. Some alternate embodiments of these sorts are described below. In any event, the relatively higher flexibility and elongation of bill panel 14 cooperating with stiffer bill panel 12 and the formation of the bill pocket 34 allow the device to remain affixed to a convention baseball-style cap 28, or any hat or visor with a similarly shaped bill.

FIG. 7 illustrates a first alternate embodiment of a hat accessory in accordance with this invention designated by reference number 36. For this embodiment, the combination of cap 28 and accessory 36 form an alligator-like appearance which might be suitable, for example, sports teams like the University of Florida “Gators”. For this embodiment, hat accessory 36 includes modified bill panels 12 a and 14 a, respectively, having decorative features, including an extending snout, nostrils, and decorative teeth 37 hanging down from the edges of bill panel 12 a. FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 showing the hat accessory 36 detached from cap 28. For the application of hat accessory 36 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, flexible bill panel 14 a, may the positioned on and underneath surface of bill panel 12 a, which is the reverse of panels 12 and 14 described previously.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate hat accessory 38 in accordance with a second alternate embodiment of the invention. Hat accessory 38 is very similar to that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, except the eyes of the mock alligator are formed as three-dimensional extensions of bill panel 14 b. For this case, cap 28 can be of an ordinary type. As shown in FIG. 9, other indicia 39 such as words or symbols can be displayed as indicated by the “XXXXX”.

FIG. 11 shows hat accessory 40 in accordance with a third alternate embodiment of this invention in which the same bill panels 14 c and 12 c are used respectively, but are attached to a mock football helmet 42, which is attached to cap 28. Panels 12 c and 14 c cooperate to retain football helmet 42 onto baseball cap 28.

FIG. 12 shows hat accessory 44 which includes a folding fin-like projection 46 attached to bill panel 12 d, as well as a row of downwardly projecting mock teeth 48. FIG. 13 is a side view showing one manner of providing the upwardly extending fin 46 with a panel bonded to the upper surface of bill panel 12 d. In this embodiment, bill panel 12 d is more rigid than the flexible bill panel 14 d. As illustrated in the figure, the projecting fin 46 can have other bends or features incorporated into it. Fin 46 is a cut-out of the material forming upper bill panel 14.

FIG. 14 shows a fifth embodiment of hat accessory 50 providing a bill extension for a cap 28. Indicia 39 can be presented. This embodiment lacks the side wings 30 and 32 of the first embodiment. Flexible bill panel 14 e may be placed on top or bottom surface of rigid bill panel 12 e.

FIG. 15 shows a sixth embodiment hat accessory 54 which is shown with a covering layer of flocking or material 56 to provide three-dimensional features for the upper surface of either bill panel 12 f or 14 f (most likely the bill panel forming the upper surface). FIG. 16 shows that the flocking can extend over a downwardly projecting panel 58. FIG. 17 shows that the material 56 can extend over the entire upper surface of bill panel 14 f as shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 18 shows hat accessory 60 in accordance with an eighth alternate embodiment of this invention in which downwardly projecting panels, including a front panel 62 and side panels 64, can be provided which can be made of an opaque material or could be tinted to provide sun shielding for the user. As in prior embodiments the position of the more rigid panel 12 g and the more flexible panel 14 g can be reversed (as to which forms the upper panel).

FIG. 19 shows hat accessory 68 in accordance with a ninth alternate embodiment of this invention in which the device further has a pair of extending head band sections 70 which are attached together by hook-and-loop fasteners at their back ends.

FIG. 20 illustrates hat accessory 74 in accordance with a tenth alternate embodiment of this invention in which features a pair of wings 76 extending from bill panel 12 h or 14 h extending in an upward direction.

FIG. 21 shows hat accessory 78 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of this invention showing a flip down panel 80 which can be extended along the front edge of the bill panels 12 and 14.

FIG. 22 shows hat accessory 84 in which bill panel 14 is hinged to move between extended and downward positions.

While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope and fair meaning of the accompanying claims. 

1. A hat accessory for attachment to a baseball-style cap with an extending bill comprising: a first bill panel forming a panel surface; and a second bill panel affixed to the first bill panel along an arcuate attachment line forming a pocket for receiving the cap bill, one of the first or the second bill panel formed of a material being more flexible than that forming the other of the first or the second bill panel whereby the extending bill can be frictionally maintained in position within the pocket.
 2. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein the first bill panel is formed of the material being more flexible than the second bill panel.
 3. The accessory according to claim 2 wherein the first bill panel is positioned on an upper surface of the second bill panel.
 4. The accessory according to claim 3 wherein the second bill panel is positioned on an upper surface of the first bill panel.
 5. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or second bill panels further comprises a pair of lateral wings which can extend downwardly about score lines to obscure vision of the wearer of the device.
 6. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or second bill panels further comprises a decorative extension.
 7. The accessory according to claim 6 wherein one of the first or second bill panels further comprises the decorative extension forming a football styled helmet.
 8. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or second bill panels further comprises a wing affixed to an upper surface thereof which may be hinged between a vertical and a horizontal orientation.
 9. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or second bill panels further provides a visual indicia.
 10. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or second bill panels further comprises a surface having a flocking or textured material affixed thereto.
 11. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or second bill panels further comprises one or more downwardly projecting panels formed of a transparent or translucent material.
 12. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or second bill panels further comprises a pair of upwardly extending wings.
 13. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or second bill panels further comprises a pair of downwardly projecting wings.
 14. The accessory according to claim 1 further comprising the accessory a providing a flight training device in which the first panel is formed of a more rigid material and features a pair of laterally downwardly extending wings for obscuring peripheral vision, and the second panel formed of the more flexible material and affixed to an upper surface of the first panel.
 15. The accessory according to claim 14 further comprising the second panel formed of a neoprene material.
 16. The accessory according to claim 14 further comprising the second panel formed of a neoprene material and forming an inner and outer arcuate edge, the first panel forming an arcuate cut out, the second panel affixed along the arcuate attachment line along the outer arcuate edge of the second panel.
 17. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein the first and the second panels are affixed along the attachment line by adhesive bonding.
 18. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein the first and the second panels are affixed along the attachment line by stitching.
 19. A flight training device for attachment to a baseball-style cap with an extending bill for obscuring the peripheral vision of a wearer comprising: a first bill panel forming of a relatively rigid material forming a pair of lateral projecting panels from lateral fold lines of the first bill panel, the first bill panel forming an arcuate cut out; and a second bill panel forming an inner and outer arcuate edge and affixed to an upper surface of the first bill panel along an arcuate attachment line adjacent the outer arcuate edge forming a pocket for receiving the cap bill, the second bill panel formed of a material being more flexible than that forming the other of the first bill panel, wherein the flight training device assumes a flat planar configuration and may be used by attachment to the cap bill with the lateral projecting panels foldable to a downward position for obscuring the peripheral vision of the wearer.
 20. The accessory according to claim 19 further comprising the second panel formed of a neoprene material.
 21. The accessory according to claim 19 wherein the first and the second panels are affixed along the attachment line by adhesive bonding.
 22. The accessory according to claim 19 wherein the first and the second panels are affixed along the attachment line by stitching. 